Gardening - Planting Bulbs
By Karen Neill, NCSU Agriculture Extension
If you want to brighten your land
scape next spring, you should consider plant
ing bulbs now.
If you’ve never planted bulbs be
fore I’d suggest daffodils, as they are among
the most dependable of bulbs and even begin
ners can dig a hole, drop the bulb in and have
flowers next spring. Rodents such as voles
even leave these beauties alone. For those of
you bored with daffodils try spicing things up
with Fritillaria, Allium, Puschkinia and
Leucojum. These are also wonderful spring
bulbs and will help you personalize your
plantings.
Selecting quality spring bulbs is very
important, because the flower bud has al
ready developed before the bulb is sold. Size
is also important, look for plump, firm bulbs.
Select on the basis of color, and size for
intended purposes; for example, small ones
for naturalizing and large ones to stand out as
specimen plants.
If you buy your bulbs this weekend
but then run out of time to get them planted,
keep
them stored where the temperature doesn’t
get above 65 degrees until you’re ready. How
ever, don’t forget them. Don’t place bulbs in
Window, Wall &
Interior
. D^cor
Morehead City New Bern
726-9027 633-6362
your refrigerator if you store fruit such as
apples and pears. They produce ethylene
which will cause the bulbs to abort their
flower.
Garden centers have their
best selection early but bulbs
really
shouldn’t
b e
planted un
til the soil
temperature
dips below 60
degrees.
When'
drawing
up a plan for
your yard, re
member that
different bulbs
bloom at different
times of the year. Win
ter Aconite, Crocus and ^
Scillas for example may bloom as early as
midPebruary. Tulips, Hyacinths and Daffo
dils begin to bloom around mid March. Take
advantage of this to maximize color in your
1/1/e bring
window & interior
fashions HOME!
We invite you to visit
our showroom at
4130 Arendell St, Morehead City,
or simply, give us a call
We will bring
the showroom to you!
www.windowandwalldecor.com
sum..
tU»M»
landscape. You can also overplant your bulbs
with pansies. That way you can achieve great
color combinations while the bulbs
are in bloom and the pansies will
hide the bulbs foliage, as it must
remain until it turns brown.
Bulbs can be grown in beds,
borders, rock gardens or wooded
areas. Always plant in well-drained
spots. This is a must which I will
attest to since I rotted about
$40.00 worth of bulbs my
self years ago. Do as I
say, not as I do. I’ve lost
enough plants over the
years by rushing. I
rarely make that mis
take anymore.
If there was only
one thing in all my years
with Extension that I hope
I’ve passed on it would be that
proper bed preparation is absolutely
critical. Test your soil first by digging a hole
about 6 inches deep, fill it with water and see
how long it takes for water to move out of that
site. If less than 6 hours your soil is in good
shape, any more and you will need to really
PARTY
PLACE
WHERE THE PARTY BE6IN81
Valentine’s Party Suppliw
Decorations • Caros • wftsl
and... St. Pot's is on its way!
We've Qot eveiything you need
to hove a fireot Portyl
'Party Favors
■Hats, Horns
-Noise-makers
222-0320
in Brandywine Crossing
amend the soil or install some type of drain
age before planting. Secondly, plant bulbs
deep enough. Large bulbs should be planted
5 to 6 inches deep while smaller bulbs are
more like 3 to 4 inches. If you plant different
types of bulbs in the same area, keep in mind
the time of flowering and the height of the
mature plants. Dense plantings usually pro
duce the most spectacular flower displays.
Bulbs should be fertilized when you
plant. For years I’ve heard folks talk about
using bone meal and while bone meal is good
at providing phosphorus it does not provide
the other nutrients that bulbs need such as
nitrogen and potassium.
If the fertilizer is a slow release type,
it provides a continuous supply of all these
nutrients throughout the winter months dur
ing the time when roots are active in the soil.
A good example is Bulb Booster (9-9-6) or
for those who prefer to garden completely
organic there is Bulb Tone (4-10-6). Apply it
as directed on the label, work into the soil for
new bulbs and top-dress established beds.
If given proper care, many bulbs
with the exception of tulips will increase in
number each year. Tulips unfortunately are
not as hardy a bulb for our warm summers.
The Extension Service does have a list of
List your home with
me and SAVE!
as low as 4.9%
on a variable rate
commission.
You also get
24 years of
Full Time
Experience
Contact TOM SAUNDERS at
REALTY ONE!
Tom Saunders Real Estate Co.
Call: 2S2-247-7444 email; saunders@clls.com
TPeuce of TVlitid
Qua lit}/ Bqutpnteut
Superior Patient Care
• Ambulatory Aios
• Respiratory Aids
Oxygen Equipment
• Recovery Aids
1202 S. Glenburnic KJ. • New Born, NC
252-672-9301
866-672-3101
Vroviilin^i n Uwl af ^erxnac that exccciis expcctatn»ts
“BURDEN FREE LIVING”
No need to move out of your home!
If you find yourself or your loved ones
relying on friends or family for help at home...
Let us help you live burden and guilt free in your
own home by managing your needs to stay at home...
Help-At~Home
Member of “The Seniors Choice*”
Let US help you with...
Medication Reminder
Grocery Shopping
Light Housekeeping
Personalized Service
Errands
iMundry
Meals
24 Hr Care
Transportation
Family Relief
Companionship
Bonded & Insured
Because your home is more than just a shelter, ifs a haven
Local:
www.helpathomeseniorcare.com Toll Free: 866-672-3100